The UK government has announced it will invest £103 million in “cutting-edge” aerospace tech projects to support greener air travel.

The funding, which will delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, will finance five projects led by GKN Aerospace, Queens University, Rolls-Royce, Short Brothers and ZeroAvia.

The projects will develop technology such as zero emission hydrogen-powered flight, new sustainable propulsion systems, and turbine technologies.

According to ADA, the aerospace industry’s trade body, the sector contributed £38 billion to the UK economy.

“Our world-class aerospace sector added almost £40 billion to the economy last year, and by backing it to pioneer cutting-edge new technologies we’re delivering economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs in every part of the UK,” said business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Gary Elliott, chief executive of the Aerospace Technology Institute said that the projects focus on “advanced technologies that take us a significant step closer to sustainable aviation, from new lightweight materials to new fuel systems.”

Separately, the government also announced a £33 million investment from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme to fund over 20 projects.

Eight major projects will receive £24 million of the total amount. These include funding for a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse, support for Rolls Royce to develop micro reactors to support space exploration, and backing for Cambridge University spin-out SuperSharp to develop and launch a heat-detecting telescope to gather data that can be used to help tackle the climate crisis.

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